Child undernutrition in Sudan: the social and economic impact and future perspectives

The nutrition situation in Sudan is one of the worst in North East Africa and it is characterised by persistently high levels of acute and chronic malnutrition that have increased over the last two dec-ades. The underlying causes of malnutrition are multi-sectoral and are mainly due to inequalities, inadequate food practices and limited access to health care services. Based on the report The Eco-nomic and Social Impacts of Child Undernutrition in Sudan, this paper assesses the impact that malnutrition has on health, education and productivity in Sudan. The country is estimated to have lost an equivalent of about 11,6 Billion SDG in 2014, which represented 2.6% of the GDP. Produc-tivity related losses contributed the largest costs at 1.53% of GDP followed by Health and Educa-tion sectors at 1.03% and 0.03% respectively. In 2020 the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the fragility of Sudan’s health, social and economic system. It is mandatory that all stakeholders address child nutrition as a main concern and stunting is incorporated in the centre of the development agenda. In particular, the national development frameworks should be updated to ensure the reduction of the stunting prevalence and to put in place a comprehensive multi-sectoral nutrition policy, strategy and plan of action.